Well its been a few days since I have posted, mainly because we didn't have good wifi at the hotel we stayed at in florence and I had already used too much of my cellular international data (sorry dad) so it just wasn't worth it, not to mention, we didn't have hardly any time to sit down and post on our blogs, we were so busy!
We went to Florence this weekend, it was an included trip the program set up for us. We had two tours, one Friday, and one Saturday morning. They were amazing! We saw the David, went through museums, learned about the history of Florence and the Medici family.
It was so interesting to learn about the Medici family and their time ruling Florence, and how Florence was such a huge power back in the day due to their river that gave them so much power compared to other big cities that did not have such a necessary thing like a river for transportation and import/export of goods.
We went to this restaurant the first night in Florence, Anna found it on yelp, they had unlimited wine for students so of course a big group of us were all for that.
Well, even better than the wine, I FOUND MY ALFREDO!!!! I was so happy, and it was AMAZING!!!
We walked around the city after and got some little bakery goods/gelato and additional wine (we really didn't have lots at dinner, btw, so it wasn't like we were raging in the city or anything like that) We went to the Basilica of Saint Mary the Flower and it was like a projection or something, I have never seen something so magnificent, there aren't words really to describe its presence.
It was so cool to get to see so much of Florence on our own, at night, with old friends and new here. I wish everyone could come to Italy and experience it like we did.
The second day, after our city tour, we took a bus to a vineyard in Tuscany for wine tasting and vineyard tour. We went to two vineyards, and the second place was crazy cool! It was this adorable little place, and we got three courses for dinner, and the lasagna was literally, the best thing, probably ever, that I have eaten in my life. We learned wine secretes and tricks and tips, and tasted some of the best wine I have ever had (I have developed a palette, which is awesome, btw) It is cool to feel grown up here and like know the differences between wines and tastes and how some go with certain foods and white vs. red and how to tell if the wine you are drinking is a good wine based off how you spin it in the glass or whatever.. Still learning some of this stuff, but it was super cool. Italy is known for the wines so basically being here and people basically looking at you weird at dinner if you don't want to look at the wine menu is awkward so we have been trying them and really trying to learn about them more than anything.
For example, we have been trying different cuisines here other than italian (you can only eat so much pizza and pasta). We have been to Chinese, Thai, we have had some seafood, and tonight we are going to mexican, and then having Japanese (sushi) on wednesday. Well last night was thai night, and none of us ordered anything to drink alcohol wise. After dinner the waiter gave our table this huge jug of red wine for free and told us we had to finish it there if we wanted it for free. So, we filled our glasses, and played never have I ever until it was gone and then walked three miles back to the university. It was so much fun!! I am going to miss these people.
The people I have met here have all been so freaking cool, I genuinely want to get to know them all and be friends with them and like chill with them later after the trip. I didn't think I would have a group of people besides kate and anna I was going to like always hangout with but it just kind of happened. I am so thankful for it, too.
This last week/ten days have been so incredible. There have been times where I have gotten homesick and wanted to be at home on my couch with my family, and times where I have gotten sad because I hardly have talked to them because of the time change, many times where I have missed Tully and Zeppelin, but I am learning so much about myself and people and things here that it is going by so fast and I know before I know it I will be back at home wishing I was back here typing this to you guys.
Tonight we are going to mexican food and then going to these bars on the side of the river and its going to be so much fun. I can't wait to be able to post more specific things from the trip and more details, but just had to provide a general update from this weekend.
P.S. WE ARE GOING TO THE ALMAFI COAST THIS WEEKEND, HOLY ****
tata for now